DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration

TA-W-63,978

RIETER AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS
INCLUDING ON-SITE LEASED WORKERS FROM THE WOOD COMPANIES
NORTH AMERICA AUTOMOTIVE
SAINT JOSEPH, MICHIGAN

Certification Regarding Eligibility
To Apply for Worker Adjustment Assistance and
Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance

In accordance with Section 223 of the Trade Act of 1974, as
amended (19 USC 2273), the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of an investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for worker adjustment assistance.
In order to make an affirmative determination and issue a
certification of eligibility to apply for Trade Adjustment
Assistance, the group eligibility requirements in either
paragraph (a)(2)(A) or (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 of the Trade Act
must be met. It is determined in this case that the requirements
of (a)(2)(B) of Section 222 have been met.
The investigation was initiated on September 3, 2008 in
response to a petition filed jointly by a company official and a
state agency representative on behalf of workers of Rieter
Automotive Systems, North America Automotive, Saint Joseph,
Michigan. The workers produce acoustical and thermal insulators
for the auto industry.
The worker group includes on-site leased workers from The
Wood Companies.
Separations of a significant portion of workers at the
Saint Joseph facility are threatened.
A substantial portion of production of the insulators
manufactured in the Saint Joseph facility is being shifted to
Canada, a country that is party to a free trade agreement with
the United States.
In accordance with Section 246 the Trade Act of 1974 (26
USC 2813), as amended, the Department of Labor herein presents
the results of its investigation regarding certification of
eligibility to apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance
(ATAA) for older workers.
In order for the Department to issue a certification of
eligibility to apply for ATAA, the group eligibility
requirements of Section 246 of the Trade Act must be met. The
Department has determined in this case that the requirements of
Section 246 have been met.
A significant number of workers at the firm are age 50 or
over and possess skills that are not easily transferable.
Competitive conditions within the industry are adverse.
Conclusion
After careful review of the facts obtained in the
investigation, I determine that there was a shift in production
from the workers firm or subdivision to Canada of articles that
are like or directly competitive with those produced by the
subject firm or subdivision. In accordance with the provisions
of the Act, I make the following certification:
"All workers of Rieter Automotive Systems, including on-
site leased workers from The Wood Companies, North America
Automotive, Saint Joseph, Michigan, who became totally or
partially separated from employment on or after July 22,
2007 through two years from the date of certification are
eligible to apply for adjustment assistance under Section
223 of the Trade Act of 1974, and are also eligible to
apply for alternative trade adjustment assistance under
Section 246 of the Trade Act of 1974.
Signed in Washington, D.C., this 16th day of September 2008


/s/Richard Church
______________________________
RICHARD CHURCH
Certifying Officer, Division of
Trade Adjustment Assistance